No question about it, I love Seattle and all of the Pacific Northwest. We tend to base ourselves in the city, and head out on Seattle day trips to explore the region.
Whether we’re looking for outdoor adventures or cultural experiences, there are plenty of destinations within a few hours’ drive of Seattle that are perfect for a day trip (or a Seattle weekend getaway).
From the stunning mountain views of Mount Rainier National Park to the charming San Juan Islands, we often feel spoilt for choice.
By intermixing our day trips from Seattle with time exploring the city, we get the comfort of old favorites with the thrill of exploring somewhere new.
If you are heading to Seattle and, like us, would rather do a bit of return driving than change accommodations every night, we have a bucket full of Seattle day trip ideas below.
Map of Seattle day trips
All of the day trips from Seattle featured below are on the map, although drive times are written with each section below.
Quick trips include Snoqualmie Falls, Bainbridge, or Tacoma. In contrast, we think of Olympic National Park, San Juan Islands, and Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument as more of Seattle weekend getaways, although with limited time, they can be done in a day.
Quick trips from Seattle
1. Tacoma
40 minutes
Why leave one large city for another, especially when they are both on Puget Sound? They are actually quite different, each with its own unique vibe. Seattle is faster-paced and more tech-driven, while Tacoma has a more relaxed, artsy vibe that I love.
Some of the must-sees in Tacoma include the Museum of Glass, the Washington State History Museum, and the LeMay-America’s Car Museum.
One of our favorites, especially when our kids were younger, is the 760-acre Point Defiance Park, which is one of the largest urban parks in the country. It features scenic trails, a rose garden, a zoo, and an aquarium.
2. Snoqualmie Falls
30 minutes
Located just a 30-minute drive from the city, Snoqualmie Falls is more than just one of the quick trips from Seattle, it’s an outdoor paradise. Here you will find a majestic waterfall that drops 268 feet into the Snoqualmie River.
The short hike to the observation deck to view the falls is just one of many walks in the Snoqualmie Valley. If you don’t want to drive, check out this highly-rated guided tour, complete with entertaining commentary. Reserve your Snoqualmie Falls and Twin Falls guided tour here.
For many, one of the big thrills is the nearby Salish Lodge, which overlooks the falls (seen in the photo).
If it looks familiar but not the name, perhaps you know it as The Great Northern Hotel from Twin Peaks. Even better than seeing, you can enjoy an upscale dining option or change your plan from one of the fun day trips from Seattle to an overnight stay. Book your room overlooking the Snoqualmie Falls at Salish Lodge & Spa here.
3. Bainbridge Island
35 minute ferry ride
Bainbridge Island is a relaxing, picturesque escape. It offers a scenic day trip from Seattle. As the ferry sails into the harbor, one can sense the charming small-town atmosphere and lush natural beauty.
It has it all in a condensed form, starting with spectacular views of Seattle and Mt Rainer right from the ferry. Once on the island, there are parks and gardens to explore, museums to discover, boutique shops, art galleries, and delightful eateries. Plus, there are kayaking, hiking, and biking trails that showcase the island’s picturesque landscapes.
More day trips from Seattle
This section includes Seattle day trip ideas within two hours from the city by car.
4. Mount Rainier National Park
1 hour and 45 minutes
Mount Rainier holds many claims to fame. It’s the tallest volcanic peak (14,411-foot) in the contiguous United States, one of the largest alpine glacial systems (larger ones are only found in Alaska), and home to the world’s largest volcanic glacial cave system.
For many nature lovers, Mount Rainier is a must-visit destination, but for us, we were happy just to view her from the top of the Seattle Space Needle.
In the winter, skiers and snowboarders head to Paradise, Washington’s largest ski resort. The park also features numerous waterfalls, meadows, and wildlife, including elk, deer, and black bears.
5. Leavenworth
2 hours
Leavenworth is a charming Bavarian-themed town nestled in the Cascade Mountains in Washington. Here you can stroll along the town’s streets lined with Alpine-style buildings, shop for souvenirs, or indulge in traditional German food and drink.
Plus, it’s the filming location for the movie “Harry and the Hendersons”.
If you are into nutcrackers, you won’t want to miss the 5,000 on display at the Nutcracker Museum. The town also hosts numerous events and festivals throughout the year, including Oktoberfest and Christmas lighting ceremonies.
If you don’t have a car or just prefer the benefits of having a guide, check out this highly-rated tour that also visits Deception Falls. Reserve your Leavenworth exclusive tour from Seattle here.
Seattle weekend getaway destinations (or long day trips from Seattle)
6. Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
2 hours and 35 minutes
The Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument is a fascinating destination for nature enthusiasts, history buffs, and those who remember its 1980 eruption, which was our motivation on our first visit only a few years later.
We hiked through the monument’s trails to view the damage caused by the volcano’s eruption. Today, the Johnston Ridge Observatory offers the option to learn more about the volcano’s history.
The monument also offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
To make this very long day trip bettter, we recommend letting someone else do the driving. Plus, having a guide will get you to the highlights like old-growth forests, wildflower-filled meadows, and thundering waterfalls. Options include hiking or walking either a little or not at all. Reserve your Mount Rainier full-day tour from Seattle here.
7. Olympic National Park
2 hours and 10 minutes
Located on the Olympic Peninsula, Olympic National Park is a breathtaking natural wonderland with views of the Pacific Ocean, rugged mountains, and old-growth forests.
You can explore the park’s numerous hiking trails, go fishing, or even take a dip in the hot springs. One unique feature of the park is the Hoh Rainforest, a lush and verdant area that receives nearly 12 feet of rainfall per year.
At more than 900,000 acres, you won’t see much of it as one of your Seattle day trips. If you don’t have time to make it one of your Seattle weekend getaways, one long day is worth the effort. Another alternative is to take a guided trekking tour that will hit the highlights. Reserve your Olympic National Park tour from Seattle here.
8. San Juan Islands
2 hours and 30 minutes
The San Juan Islands are a group of islands in the Salish Sea known for their stunning natural beauty and unique wildlife. Three popular activities are whale watching, sea kayaking, and hiking on the island’s trails.
The islands are also home to numerous art galleries, shops, and restaurants, as well as the charming town of Friday Harbor.
If you have more money than time, you can fly here.
Renting a car
Unless you are using your own vehicle, you will need to hire a car. We always rent from RentalCars. As an aggregator, they offer a comprehensive list of multinational and local rental car agents, ratings on specific car types, and agency ratings. Importantly, they often have lower prices than going direct.
Whether you rent from them or not, it’s still the perfect place to begin your search. Plus, if anything goes wrong, we have one central point of contact that to date has provided us with outstanding service. Start your search or reserve your rental car here.
Day trips from Seattle featured above
While there are plenty of things to do in Seattle, it’s nice to get out for a while.
- Tacoma
- Snoqualmie Falls
- Bainbridge Island
- Mount Rainier National Park
- Leavenworth, Washington
- Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
- Olympic National Park
- San Juan Islands
Save on your trip with these resources
These are our go-to companies when we travel. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.
- Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
- Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), VRBO (self-contained), or Hostelworld (budget).
- Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
- Motorcycles: we have heard good things about BikesBooking.
- Campervans or Motorhomes: we use Campstar where Albom Adventures readers get a 3% discount.
- Private guides: we often find the best option is to work with a private guide.
- Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.
Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.
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Photo Credits:
All photos on this page are either shot by our team and watermarked as such or stock images from Depositphotos.
Jenn | By Land and Sea
This is such a beautiful area! I just got done watching Twin Peaks (again) so I loved seeing the inclusion of the famous Snoqualmie Falls
Lucia
Leavenworth looks so beautiful with the lights and snow-capped mountains in the background. Thanks for the spots you picked
Hannah
Great list! I’m from the PNW and these are all fabulous options. Surprisingly, I’ve never been to Leavenworth though, so now I’m inspired to go this winter!
Tanya
Great post! pinned to come back and read it again. Leavenworth is on my buck-list!!
Meghan
I love how many great outdoor adventures there are so close to Seattle! I haven’t made it to Mount Ranier National Park yet, but would love to on my next trip to Seattle.
Christy S.
I was only able to do 2 things on your list (Olympic National Park and Bainbridge Island), which means I must go back and visit Leavenworth, Snoqualmie Falls, and more!
Sonia
Great list! We haven’t made it to Mount St. Helens yet. Our other favorites tend to be over the border near Vancouver.
Josy A
Soooo many good spots to go for day trips in this area! We have to cross the border for any of these – but it just shows we need to spend more time in Washington!
I think you might looove the Mount Baker area as well!!